ALTRINCHAM Football Club is reaching out to the town's youngsters after launching its 'Inclusion Strategy'.

The go-ahead club has linked up with community group Art with a Heart and storage company Smart Storage to run an art competition.

They want children to be as creative as they want to “Design a football shirt to celebrate the differences in our community”. The purpose is to showcase the importance of inclusion and diversity.

Jordan Tyms, Altrincham FC's inclusion co-ordinator, said: “I’d like to thank both Smart Storage and Art with a Heart for their support with this project and look forward to seeing the creative designs that the young people of Altrincham come up with.”

Paul Whittaker, from Smart Storage, said “We are delighted to be able to support the design a shirt competition, as a company we love to get involved in community projects and have been impressed Altrincham FC’s inclusion plans."

The club has asked all schools to get on board and help distribute entry forms. or by ask children to complete at home over the half-term holiday. We have also distributed entry forms in Altrincham, Hale and Timperley Libraries. There will also be workshops during the holiday at Art with a Heart where children can get ideas for their

The competition has been split into three age categories school years 1 and 2, 3 and 4 and 5 and 6 and the winner of each category will have their design turned into a replica Altrincham FC shirt and unveiled on Saturday, November 4 when Altrincham FC play Buxton Town. The winner will also receive a season ticket for themselves and an adult while second and third prize winners will also receive a season ticket for themselves and one adult to watch Altrincham FC for the rest of this season.

The closing date for entries is Friday 27th October at 12 noon and forms can be submitted either to the J Davidson Stadium, Art with a Heart on Stamford New Road, at Smart Storage (Altrincham) on Craven Road or in school prior to the half-term holiday and we can collect them.

If you would like to get involved or require further information email: inclusion@altrinchamfootballclub.co.uk

* AT Altrincham's Fans for Diversity day on October 7 the club welcomed surgeon Nasser Kurdy, the vice chairman of Altrincham and Hale Muslim Association as its special guest.

Also attending the match against Rushall Olympic, which altrincham won 4-0, were Graham Brady MP and the leader of Trafford Council, Cllr Sean Anstee. A number of disability charities also joined the club for the day.

Dr Kurdy was attending just a couple of weeks after he was fortunate to escape serious injury when he was stabbed outside the mosque in Grove Lane, Hale.

Altrincham was one of just four clubs nationally picked to showcase the work they have done to encourage greater inclusion and diversity in football.